Nitrous Oxide Side Effects Raise Serious Concerns For Those With Psychiatric Disorders: Study

Findings come as manufacturers and distributors face an increasing number of nitrous oxide injury lawsuits brought by individuals left with permanent nerve damage and other complications caused by inhaling the laughing gas.

According to the findings of a new study, individuals who abuse nitrous oxide by inhaling the gas recreationally may face a substantially greater risk of experiencing side effects if they have an underlying psychiatric diagnoses, such as depression or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Nitrous oxide, also known as “whippits” or “laughing gas,” is commonly used in medical and culinary settings. However, recent years have seen an increase in recreational use, which has been linked to side effects such as euphoria, hallucinations and other dissociative effects. Prolonged or repeated use can lead to addiction, nerve damage, brain injury and even death, health experts warn.

In a study published in Frontiers of Psychiatry on September 30, German researchers indicated that higher whippit use was also associated with individuals with psychiatric disorders, leading them to call for more doctors to screen vulnerable populations for nitrous oxide use.

The study was conducted by researchers from the Department of Psychiatry from Aachen University, using data from Aachen University Hospital psychiatric patients over a six-month period in 2024.

The researchers, led by Rebecca Paetow, looked at assessments of nitrous oxide lifetime prevalence in various psychiatric settings, involving 287 patients.

Of those, 22 reported a history of nitrous oxide use, and the younger they were, the more likely the patients were to report using, most of which was acquired through friends or social events, instead of direct purchases.

According to the findings, the predominant psychiatric diagnoses among users were major depressive disorder, cannabis-related disorder and ADHD.

“More than 50% (n = 12) of patients with prior consumption reported distressing psychiatric symptoms since their youth or adolescence. All patients (n = 22) with prior consumption had at least one previous contact with a psychiatric institution.”

— Rebecca Paetow, Nitrous oxide use and psychiatric disorders

While most individuals only used nitrous oxide one time at a party, festival or in some other social context, researchers found an “overrepresentation of depression, mental or behavioral disorders due to the use of cannabinoids and ADHD.”

The researchers called for expanded data tracking to better understand how occasional nitrous oxide use can develop into dependency. They also emphasized the need for greater awareness among patients and healthcare providers, recommending that screening for nitrous oxide use be included as a standard part of psychiatric assessments.

Nitrous Oxide Lawsuits

The findings come amid a rise in recreational nitrous oxide use, which has led to a growing number of FDA reports linking the NO use to serious injuries, including nerve damage and death.

Although the products are supposed to be marketed for medical or culinary uses, nitrous oxide canisters are now widely sold on-line or at local vape shops, together with supplies needed to inhale the laughing gas recreationally.

As a result, nitrous oxide lawsuits are now being filed against manufacturers and retailers throughout the U.S., alleging that they intentionally sold the products for recreational inhalation, ignoring the serious and long-term health risks that may result from addiction or abuse of the products.

Nitrous oxide injury lawyers currently provide free consultations and case evaluations for individuals throughout the U.S. who may qualify for financial compensation through a nitrous oxide lawsuit.